Surgical Technologist Certification

Although not required, voluntary professional certification is considered a mark of competence and often increases job prospects and career advancement. In fact, most employers prefer to hire certified Surgical Technologist.

Surgical Technologist Certification

Continuing education or reexamination is required to maintain either certification, which must be renewed on either a 4- or 6-year cycle.

Certification is conferred by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Initial certification as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) is based upon satisfactory performance on the national certifying examination following completion of an accredited program in surgical technology. CSTs maintain their certification by earning 60 hours of approved continuing education in a four-year period or by successfully retaking the certifying examination at the conclusion of the four-year period.

The NBSTSA’s CST certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accreditation division of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) and is in compliance with NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. NCCA standards and accreditation services are
referenced requirements in state and federal legislation pertaining to personnel certification. NOCA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a developer of American National Standards. ANSI accreditation provides third-party validation that NOCA’s standards development process ensures openness and due
process.